Words of wisdom from good friend Tony Horton

There's a couple of blogs I tend to read often and I always save the good ones for later.  You know this is one of those posts that I go back to occasionally to learn from one of my good friends Tony Horton, whom I'm blessed to spend two weeks in Europe with training our US troops. Which I hope to come home with more nuggets of wisdom from the man himself.

"When you exercise and eat right, you feel better. When you feel better, you're able to do more. When you do more, you usually end up doing it with other people. 

This lifestyle shift gives us the energy to be better people. People who participate, share, communicate, and build a community. As opposed to isolators, who have nothing to share because they don't do anything. 

Everyone on the Beachbody Message Boards has one thing in common . . . the desire to improve their life. Anyone willing to explore the full Beachbody experience is given the opportunity to participate in something truly unique. Choosing to help yourself can change and save the lives of others. I have seen it thousands of times already. These boards allow us to plant seeds of change that affect much more than our own weight loss and improved fitness. The moment we decide to commit to Power 90 and start to tell our story, we create a shift in energy so powerful that it has the potential to change the world.

Some of you may think I'm nuts (well most of you), but stay with me on this. If you had never found Power 90®, or perhaps just never followed through with it, then you'd be right back where you've always been, in the sad land of what-ifs and wannabes. When we are in a state of panic, fear, sadness, or depression (as a result of our choices in life), the folks around us aren't too thrilled either.

The opposite of that is to be kind, wise, loving, self-reliant, hardworking, and disciplined. The only difference between these diametrically opposed states is CHOICE. Before Power 90, many of you found yourselves lost, overwhelmed, sick, and tired. Shortly after you started the program (even before you saw any real physical change), something remarkable started to happen. You felt better.

When you feel good, you act very differently than when you feel bad. The people around you don't have to be told what kind of mood you're in. Your actions will have enough energy to affect everyone you come in contact with. You become what you eat and what you do! If you eat junk and do nothing about your life, your friends and family will either sink with you or abandon ship. Not a very powerful or productive way to live. If you choose to devote your time and energy to this program with wisdom and courage, you become a beacon of energy so powerful it could change the lives of thousands of people. 

I believe you have a choice to go through this program in three different ways, each one dramatically more powerful than the next: 1) To Feel Good; 2) To Be Good; and 3) To Do Good.
 

1. 1. To Feel Good about our health and our appearance affects our state of mind. The reason why so many people reach for cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, food, and sex is because, for a short while, they'll feel good and alter their state of mind. The problem with this behavior is that you end up trying to solve long-term problems with short-term pleasures. This can also be the long-term flaw for people who approach Power 90 with just the singular desire to look and feel better. It's the same flawed approach to any workout program. I know plenty of people who have stayed in shape for the sole purpose of looking and feeling good. If feeling and looking good are the ONLY reasons why you're doing this program, be aware that you might have some success in the short term, but might not be able to sustain it long term.
2. 2. To Be Good is a different approach because it focuses on ways to maintain this NEW healthy lifestyle. People who want to Be Good search for mantras, affirmations, and other techniques to keep the ball rolling. The vain and esthetic aspects of exercise don't play as much of a role either. The one downfall to the Be Good philosophy is that you end up focusing just as much on not being bad! I know tons of people who have piles of dogma relating to their health maintenance, but fall in and out of shape more often than night turns to day. It's like the God-fearing man who quotes the Bible but can't stop sinning. I'll be good . . . I'll be good . . . I'll be good . . . ooops, I'm bad. The Be Good state of mind works very well for some, but to achieve the greatest selfless level of all you must Do Good.
3. 3. To Do Good is about taking the focus off of yourself and beginning to put the focus on people who need your help. The gift of giving is the greatest gift to receive. The people I know who practice this on a daily basis are the most well-rounded, content, empathetic, wise, and happy people I have ever met. It is also important to recognize when friends and family are not ready to change. The worst kind of advice to give is the kind that was never asked for. They say that about 3% of the people on Earth live in bliss. What the hell are the other 97% of us doing? We are spending too much time on ME, ME, ME! 

   I honestly believe that the key to success with Power 90 comes to people who figure out that when you share your experience, your wisdom, your love, and your truth, you begin to know what it's like to live in that 3%. The Message Boards, chatrooms, and coaches' threads can be a precious commodity where we are given the opportunity to share everything about our journey with people going through the same thing.

Find what you love. Do it. And share it with others. Welcome to bliss!

Peace,
Tony H."

P90X2 IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDERING!

Are you thankful that you ordered P90X but are ready for a new challenge? P90X2 will not only rock your world, it will turn your body into solid rock hard muscle!! P90X was the first fitness program that truly challenged someone right from their own living room or bedroom (wherever they decided to do their workout). Sure other fitness programs started to copy P90X because it was such a huge success and it was allowing people to get amazing results without having to go to the gym. No more drive time to and from the gym. Having to wait for the equipment you needed was not an issue now that you could get fantastic results right at home when you had the time to workout.  Now 7 years later (yes P90X has been out for almost 7 years) P90X2 is ready to kick more butt, get you into even better shape, challenge you like you have never before, and make you push yourself further than you ever thought possible.

Check out my review of P90X2

So did you watch the video and hear about all the free things you get when pre-ordering P90X2 from my links?  Two FREE Tony Horton workouts that compliment the P90X2 workouts!

FREE SHIPPING (Don't you just hate to pay for shipping, I know I do.)

Plus, you're name is entered for some really amazing prizes!!!

There are 3 ways to get P90X2.  There is the Base package, the Deluxe package, and the Ultimate package.  Each one comes with the full DVD workout system and then there are different equipment options in each package.  P90X2 is now available in Blu-Ray as well!!  So, let's get ready to BRING IT in High-Def!  

P90X2 Base Package - $119.85  (Click on the links to see what comes in each package)

P90X2 Deluxe Package - $239.70

P90X2 Ultimate Package - $299.55  (Check out that crazy foam roller..OUCH) 

Always workout in the Fat Burning Zone?

Always work out in the fat burning zone.

The "fat burning zone” has a nice ring to it, right? Using this function on cardio machines keeps you working out at a slow, steady pace—around 60% to 70% of your maximum heart rate—and this low-intensity form of exercise is thought to help your body burn a higher percentage of calories from fat. (So if you burn 100 total calories, 60 of those may come from fat and 40 from carbohydrates in your body.) The problem? The total number of calories burned is the only thing that matters—not what type of calories—and working out at a low intensity ultimately burns fewer calories since you're not pushing yourself as hard as you should be. In order to maximize calorie burn (and, ultimately, fat loss) in less time, do high intensity interval training instead, says Schoenfeld. To try it, alternate one or two minutes of easy running (or pedaling) with a quick one-minute burst of speed (you should be breathing heavily at the end of the interval.) Repeat intervals for a total of 20 minutes, and do two to three interval workouts per week for the best results. Bonus: Studies show intense workout sessions stoke metabolism for up to 24 hours after you've left the gym, burning at least 100 extra calories throughout the day, Schoenfeld says.  (from yahoo.com/health)

I know I use to wonder about that "fat burning zone" area on the treadmill, thinking do I need to stay in that because I hardly sweat when I am in that zone.  But now after a few years of fitness training, I realize..NO you do not stay in that zone. You push your body. Your body can handle so much more than you give it credit for.  Try some interval training and watch your body get skinny.  Insanity is a great workout product that focuses on Interval training. The workout program is based on that alone.  Click on the link to check out more about Insanity.  Also see my Insanity review here on my blog, just a few posts below.  INSANITY WORKOUT REVIEW

Are you ready to BRING IT again? P90X2 Coming soon!

Hey all, here is the latest preview of the long awaited P90X2! This it the video I am actually in! Look for the orange Texas shirt! This is P.A.P Upper, an intense workout that will guarantee results!

Click the photo above or the link below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO9jlgNA7w0

The importance of a good recovery drink

Just like an automobile needs gasoline (fuel) in order to operate at high levels of performance, your body needs the same thing.  Glycogen, or sugar, is what your body uses as fuel.  The same way that your car uses more fuel when you drive it "harder", so does your body.  When you work out really hard your glycogen levels go down.  Once it’s gone it needs to be regenerated but your body takes a little time doing so. One of the best ways to replenish your fuel, is with the help of a post-workout recovery drink.

Studies have shown that with the right nutrition during the very first hour after a workout, you can increase your bodies ability to recover dramatically. So a recovery drink is very important. If you don’t replenish your bodies fuel tank after a workout, then your body will need to find some source of fuel for energy and will break down the muscle.  Muscle that you have worked long and hard to gain.

Of course it depends also on how hard your workout was. If it’s a light workout like X Stretch or something similar that’s a mild cardio workout then you don’t need a recovery drink because you’re not depleting your glocygen levels. You also need to think about if you really had a tough workout. With all the vitamins and antioxidants you need itll reduce muscle soreness and assist in repair and growth. I’ve been using the P90X recovery formula now for years and I always take one after a tough workout, which seems like an every day thing. :)  

Time Management. Working out is possible.

All right, so everyone has their own excuses for not working out, but usually it's the same one... " I just don't have the time."  Well I’m here to tell you that if I can run a business, be a great husband and father to two boys (which includes taking them to practice and coaching their football teams) and I can still fit in AT LEAST one workout a day, then anyone can. 

I think you need to look at why you want to workout. The only person you should be doing this for is yourself. That will give you the most motivation. You should workout and do it for YOURSELF so that YOU can be healthy, so that YOU can feel better, so that YOU can be more confident. See, it's about YOU!

So it comes down to time management. Whatever it may be that’s preventing you from bettering yourself you need to get over that. If you’re realistic, you can really squeeze in at least a 30 minute workout. Granted, everyone may not have time for the hour plus Yoga X in P90X, but you can work up a good sweat and burn some calories in a 30 min workout. Whether it’s half of a P90X video, maybe it’s a couple Ten Minute Trainers or something else, just do something every single day that gets your heart rate up and will keep it there for at least 30 min. On top of that, try to eat as cleanly as possible.  Remember, 80% of the battle of the bulge is about diet and nutrition. You will never see the results of your hard work if your eating habits are poor.  So, what's it worth to you?  Are you willing to give up a little TV?  Are you willing to wake up a little earlier?  Are you willing to make small sacrifices so that you can feel better, look better and live longer?  The answer should be obvious.  Now, it's just your time to make it happen.  Let's get started!

Daily calorie counts, what should yours be?

We all have wondered at least once if we are eating the right amount of food, or more likely if we are eating too many calories and too much food. To be honest it all depends. The Beachbody calorie calculator says that I need 2,764 calories a day to maintain my weight. But my good friend Michael who's trying to lose weight while doing P90X only needs 1,380 calories to reach his goal. Then once he gets to his goal weight and size he will then have to increase his caloric intake to give his body enough fuel for the day. Even after my daily workout I usually stay fairly active, whether it's taking my kids to practice and coaching their football teams to maybe a second workout with a friend. So I usually consume around 3,200 calories a day and that's where I feel my best. 

There are a ton of factors involved when trying to figure out what your intake should be: gender, height, weight, age, and your level of activeness all need to be taken into account. You can also take in account some basic numbers. One gram of fat is nine calories, one gram of carbohydrate is four calories and one gram of protein is four calories. Once you better understand what you're putting into your body the better your results can be. If you're more active then your body will require more calories but if you sit on your couch all day then you wont need nearly as many. As I've mentioned in other blogs just try and regulate what goes into your mouth. Go for the whole grain pastas and breads, go for grilled chicken instead of breaded, use spray butter replacement instead of real butter. If you can do all of these things you will be eating healthier and you will feel better. You've got to watch your sodium levels too, even more so those of you in the under 10% body fat. I know that for myself when I was around 4% body fat for a period in my life I really had to watch my sodium intake or I would get bloated and lose that definition I had.

But you must be very careful. A lot of people will workout really hard and then later feel that they have earned a cheat meal and they go to some fast food place and pig out because it's okay. It's not okay. You lose all the progress you made that day and you feel bad after eating it too. You would be surprised how many calories something can have even if it looks or sounds like it would be healthy. If you are really committed to losing those pounds and getting into the best shape of your life then you will do it. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. If it were easy then everyone would be fit.

So stick to your diets and exercises, and I know it's difficult and never fun but count your calories that way you know exactly what you're putting into your body. As Tony Horton says "Abs are made in the kitchen."

Beachbody is now in the Better Business Bureau’s Hall of Fame!!

Announced  July 26th, 2011, Beachbody was inducted into the Better Business Bureau's Hall of Fame! By maintaing a record of zero complaints for three years Beachbody earned it's rightful place at the BBB. This just goes to show how great this company really is and it further illustrates that this company isn't some sort of scam or pyramid scheme.

"Abs are made in the kitchen." Healthy food choices with Shakeology

The latest video blog from P90X/health expert Robert Hudgens talking about making the right choices when opening your fridge. "Abs are made in the kitchen." - Tony Horton says and Robert gives you more information on how this is so true. 

What does it mean to eat right?

   Millions of Americans struggle with weight issues and dieting. So what does it mean to eat right or eat healthy? I can tell you right away that it’s not just about satisfying a craving because you feel hungry; rather, it’s more about providing fuel for your body.

Having a strong discipline is a huge part of it. I always tell people to wait two minutes. Just two minutes. With almost complete certainty the craving will go away, if it is just a craving. If it doesn’t go away then it may be time to eat. It is imperative to eat five to six meals a day. These must be reasonable meals so watch your portion control and keep your colors bright. What I mean by that is have less brown on your plate.  Go for more color. Eat things that you know will help, if you need energy use a complex carbohydrate, like whole wheat pasta or a sweet potato. Don’t shovel things into your body that are full of sodium, calories and bad carbs that will turn straight into fat and make you feel worse and leave you wanting more!

(Before we go on you might be wondering what bad carbs are because there’s good and bad carbs and the bad thing is that the bad carbs are the ones you probably purchase most. Bad carbs are the white rice, white bread, white flour. Avoid refined flours and sugars. Go for the wheat and whole grain products for good carbs.)

I’m telling you that if you eat the right things you get that "full" feeling and be able to keep those cravings to a minimum.  Avoid fast food!  Avoid the sodas and sweets!  Every once in a while it’s okay to indulge a small bit but if you want real results you need to commit and just do it for yourself. You don’t need a fancy diet you saw in some magazine or on a morning show. Just commit yourself and get it done. If you need someone to help you with your decision making and some guidance then that’s cool too. We have a passion for helping people better themselves and we are here to help you for free! If you ever have any questions at all about dieting, nutrition, working out, etc.. we can help and are glad to! Look us up on Facebook, Twitter, shoot us an email or just comment here! Good luck!